| Lesson 4 |
| Belladonna; Deadly Nightshade |
| Atropa belladonna |
| BEWARE: |
| POISONOUS! |
| Belladonna is a stout, 2-4 ft high plant with dull, dark green leaves, a purplish colored stem and a thick, fleshy, whitish colored root. The fresh plant when crushed exhales a disagreeable odor, and the leaves have a bitter taste when fresh and when dry. The berries are full of a dark, inky juice and are intensely sweet. Because of its sweetness and poisonous properties many children have eaten them with fatal results. |
| According to old legends, the plant belongs to the Devil, who goes about trimming and tending to it at his leisure and can only be diverted from its care on one night of the year. The name Belladonna is said to also record an old superstition, that at certain times it takes form of an enchantress of exceeding loveliness, whom it is dangerous to look upon. |
| Symptoms that one has been poisoned by Belladonna are complete loss of voice, continual movement of the hands and fingers, and the pupils becoming very dilated. These poisonous effects may be prevented if the victim drinks a large glass of vinegar or mustard and water. |
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| Homework |
| 1) List two symptoms one might have if they have swallowed Belladonna. 2) How high does it grow? 3) Are the leaves sweet or bitter? 4) Are the berries sweet or bitter? 5)Where does the name Belladonna come from? 6)List other names Belladonna might be called. |
| Other names: Devil's Cherries, Divale, Black Cherry and Devil's Herb. |
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